October Greetings Unitarian Universalists, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice and Supporters of ClimateFast!
For the third year in a row a group of dedicated climate activists held a fast and vigil (Sept. 28 - October 2) on Parliament Hill to draw the public's attention to the climate crisis and the need to act now. We continue to urge our political leaders, senators and members of parliament to sign the politicians' pledge for the climate, namely, 1. Put an end to fossil fuel subsidies 2. Put a price on carbon 3.Support the development of a renewable energy plan for Canada. In conjunction with the annual Ottawa Peace Festival we held a number of climate conversations, including an intergenerational conversation at the University of Ottawa, (plus screening of 'Do the Math!' by 350.org climate scientist Bill McKibbon); an interfaith discussion at St. Paul's United Church and an activist conversation at the headquarters of Oxfam.
All the participants agreed that meeting with one another in the flesh, and sharing our individual and collective stories - the highs and the lows - renewed our spirits and was a practical exercise in coalition building. We are part of a growing people's movement worldwide. Like the Indigenous-led 'Idle No More' movement, ordinary Canadians are starting to stand up and speak out for the rights of Mother Earth. Aside from the climate conversations, organized and led by the Reverend Frances Deverell, we watched two new films at the local library - 'Hands On: Women, Climate, Change' and 'The Change Agents'. a coming-of-age, must-see movie for all secondary students in Canada.
The 'Climate Fastival' on the Hill brought together a wide array of musicians, including Unitarian troubadours, Chris White and Tony Turner and their talented back-up performers. And of course, the Ottawa Raging Grannies put in an appearance, with Ottawa First's Ria Heynen taking the vocal lead. Ottawa First's Chalice Choir also took part in the 'Climate Fastival'. Our red and white CUSJ banner was on prominent display alongside Citizens' for Public Justice and ClimateFast's bilingual 'Hungry for Climate Leadership' banner. 'Just Voices' community-based Choir graced us with the 'Song for the Climate' and other sing-along songs at our Opening Ceremony on Parliament Hill the first evening and again at the Closing Ceremony.
We were blessed to have Anishnawbe elder Annie Smith St. George and her Metis husband, Robert, lead the Closing Ceremony by candlelight along with the Spirit Flowers Drumming Group led by Gabrielle Fayant. As we went around the circle, each person spoke from the heart and lifted one other up by highlighting memorable moments from the Ottawa Peace Festival and ClimateFast activities. We were blessed to have the company of fellow climate faster Joseph Boutilier, (unityfortheclimate.ca) the brave young man from Victoria, B.C. who unicycled all the way to Ottawa to raise awareness of the need for personal and political action on the climate. Another wonderful young transgender anarchist from Montreal, Atshak Kanimischt, also joined the ClimateFasters this year. She preached a gentle message of diversity and fluidity of body, mind and heart. She also promised to bring more young people to next year's Climatefast.
Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, fasted in solidarity with us and brought along her fellow Green MP, Bruce Hyer, to address the crowd on the benefits of Citizens' Climate Lobby's (CCL) proposed carbon pollution fee, called 'carbon fee and dividend'. NDP Matthew Kelway also urged us to sign a petition in support of his Private Member's Bill on the re-introduction of the 'Climate Change Accountability Act'. Liberal John McKay also spoke of the urgent need to act on climate but with an election coming up in 2015, the Liberal Party has yet to issue a party platform on pricing carbon, perhaps well aware of the fact that one of their own, Stephane Dion, was roundly trounced for his proposed 'ecotax' during the last election.
If 'political will' is lacking in our national, provincial and local governments to start transitioning to a green economy, then it is up to us, the citizens of Canada, to do our part and create the political and physical environment to act for a secure and liveable future. Luckily, we are seeing moves in that direction from many quarters. NDP MP, Peggy Nash, commended the Climate Fast activists on the Hill to the House and as a result, Peter Julian, Official Opposition House Leader, invited us to last Friday's National Forum on Clean Energy and Industry. The forum brought together MPs, NGOs, the Canadian public and experts on renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable industries and urban centres as well as European experts on international models of energy already in use. Not only was this a perfect way to end our week on the Hill, but we also managed to get four more MPs, both Liberals and NDPs, (and another one since) bringing our total to 123 MPs, who have signed the pledge. We even found a few sympathetic Conservatives,but,much like the few remaining environmental scientists working for the federal government, they too are muzzled or 'whipped' into silence from above.
It would seem that a healthy democracy depends very much on a healthy work 'environment' in all senses of the word.
A final word of thanks goes to Ottawa First and all the congregations who took park in ClimateFast's letter writing campaign around the first of October - our ongoing monthly campaign to not only fast (food or carbon) on the first of the month (fastfortheclimate.org) but to write or meet with our elected MPs. Make sure to c.c. the Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent, and the Opposition Critics and Leaders. We are still waiting for the Hon.Thomas Mulcair and the Hon. Justin Trudeau to sign the pledge. Perhaps you could encourage them to follow the lead from their own caucus members. Speaking of pledge, have you signed the individual or group pledge yet?
You will find the latest sample letter and October newsletter online at www.climatefast.ca .
2015 will be a watershed year, a major turning point, not only because of the upcoming federal election but also for the world at large. Ban Ki-Moon, the current Secretary-General of the United Nations, pointed out at the People's March for the Climate, that the 21st U.N. Climate Change Summit, taking place in Paris at the end of next November, has, as its objective, the first binding, Universal Agreement on Climate - an ambitious but necessary goal if we are not to exceed the danger point of 2 degree Celsius global mean temperature rise. In otherwords, we can't afford not to act in order to avoid runaway climate change. The next decade will be decisive for the future of our children and 'the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part'. (7th Unitarian Universalist principle) The 6th source of our faith 'instructs us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature'. The time for a re-set and a re-balancing act is NOW.
In faith,
Margaret Rao
President, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice
'Standing on the Side of Love & Justice'
